Kaduna Dry Port Remains Idle as Insecurity, Flooding Halt Rail Cargo from Lagos

Kaduna Inland Dry Port has continued to operate below capacity following the suspension of rail cargo services from Lagos due to rising insecurity and flooding along the corridor.

The facility, established in 2018 to serve as a major cargo hub for Northern Nigeria, was designed to decongest Lagos ports and ease the movement of goods to the hinterlands. However, with the halt of rail operations, cargo movement to Kaduna is now fully dependent on road transport, raising costs for businesses and importers.

According to reports, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended operations after repeated attacks on trains and vandalism of railway tracks in Niger State. In addition, flooding around the Mokwa axis recently damaged sections of the narrow-gauge line, worsening the disruption.

Industry stakeholders have expressed concern that the prolonged suspension of rail services undermines the purpose of inland dry ports, which were created to decentralize port activities.

They called on the Federal Government to expedite repairs on the damaged rail tracks and enhance security along the route to restore cargo services and revive the economic potential of the Kaduna dry port.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola